Heat transfer enhancement using parametric electrostatic forcing

Abstract

Various examples are provided related to heat transfer enhancement using parametric electrostatic forcing. In one example, a heat transfer system includes a cell including fluids; an aluminum electrode clamped on a first side of the cell; and an ITO-coated glass electrode clamped on a second side of the cell. AC excitation of the aluminum electrode and the ITO-coated electrode produces AC electrostatic fields that resonate the fluids enhancing heat transfer across the cell. The heat transfer system can be operated in microgravity environments without gravity driven buoyancy.

Therefore, at least the following is claimed: 
     
         1 . A heat transfer system, comprising:
 a cell comprising fluids;   an aluminum electrode clamped on a first side of the cell; and   an ITO-coated glass electrode clamped on a second side of the cell;   wherein AC excitation of the aluminum electrode and the ITO-coated electrode produces AC electrostatic fields that resonate the fluids enhancing heat transfer across the cell.   
     
     
         2 . The heat transfer system of  claim 1 , comprising a first electrically insulating and thermally conducting material positioned on a side of the aluminum electrode opposite the cell and a second electrically insulating and thermally conducting material positioned on a side of the ITO-coated glass electrode opposite the cell. 
     
     
         3 . The heat transfer system of  claim 2 , wherein the first and second electrically insulating and thermally conducting materials are sapphire. 
     
     
         4 . The heat transfer system of  claim 2 , comprising a first water bath positioned on a side of the first electrically insulating and thermally conducting material opposite the aluminum electrode and a second water bath positioned on a side of the second electrically insulating and thermally conducting material opposite the ITO-coated electrode. 
     
     
         5 . The heat transfer system of  claim 4 , wherein the second water bath is sealed by the second electrically insulating and thermally conducting material using a clamp. 
     
     
         6 . The heat transfer system of  claim 5 , wherein the cell is secured between the aluminum electrode and the ITO-coated glass electrode using a second clamp. 
     
     
         7 . The heat transfer system of  claim 6 , wherein both clamps have low thermal conductivity. 
     
     
         8 . The heat transfer system of  claim 7 , wherein the clamps are PLA (polylactic acid) clamps. 
     
     
         9 . The heat transfer system of  claim 4 , wherein the first and second water baths are fabricated of resin. 
     
     
         10 . The heat transfer system of  claim 1 , comprising a heat flow sensor. 
     
     
         11 . The heat transfer system of  claim 10 , wherein the heat flow sensor is located between the aluminum electrode and a first water bath positioned on a side of the aluminum electrode opposite the cell. 
     
     
         12 . The heat transfer system of  claim 10 , wherein the heat flow sensor is secured between electrically insulating and thermally conducting material. 
     
     
         13 . The heat transfer system of  claim 1 , wherein the cell is a polycarbonate test cell. 
     
     
         14 . The heat transfer system of  claim 1 , wherein the cell comprises a first fluid having a first density and a second fluid having a second density greater than the first density. 
     
     
         15 . The heat transfer system of  claim 14 , wherein the first fluid is an oil and the second fluid is water. 
     
     
         16 . The heat transfer system of  claim 15 , wherein the oil is a silicone oil. 
     
     
         17 . The heat transfer system of  claim 14 , wherein the ratio of the first fluid to the second fluid is in a range from about 30:70 to about 70:30. 
     
     
         18 . The heat transfer system of  claim 17 , wherein the ratio is a height ratio in the cell. 
     
     
         19 . The heat transfer system of  claim 1 , wherein the AC excitation is provided in a range from about 0.5 Hz to about 5 Hz. 
     
     
         20 . The heat transfer system of  claim 1 , wherein the AC excitation is applied to the aluminum electrode and the ITO-coated electrode in a microgravity environment without gravity driven buoyancy. 
     
     
         21 . The heat transfer system of  claim 1 , comprising a fill port configured to provide the fluids to the cell. 
     
     
         22 . The heat transfer system of  claim 1 , comprising:
 a plurality of the cells, each cell comprising the fluid;   electrodes clamped on first and second sides of each cell; and   first and second low thermal conductivity clamps securing the electrodes on the first and second sides of each of the plurality of cells.